As the school year winds down and internship and job searches heat-up, two cities are not afraid to show their Bobcat pride by inviting current students for the weekend.
Both the Washington, D.C. and Charlotte, N.C. alumni chapters will be hosting networking events kicking off on Thursday.
The Greater Charlotte Chapter will be hosting their 10th annual networking event, which with its overwhelming success, influenced the Nation’s Capital Chapter into giving it a try.
“It’s a networking opportunity to reminisce and connect with other Bobcats and we all have a common bond or link because of Ohio University,” said Charlotte Chapter President TJ Simonik. “Although we might (have) graduated in the ‘70s ‘80s or 2000s we all have similar experiences and can immediately relate and have a good time.”
D.C. Networking Week, a three-day event, invites students that might have interest in working in the city to come out for a tour and meet with alumni.
“Anyone interested in politics, communications or journalism, D.C. offers the top opportunities,” Chapter President Robert Walter said.
The D.C. Networking Week will involve 18 different site visits and informational interviews including the speaker of the house, Rep. John Boehner (R-OH).
There is no charge to attend the DC event, although attendees will have to fund their own lodging.
“We have the largest group of alumni for any chapter outside the state of Ohio. We wanted to reach out and inform them of what D.C. has to offer,” Walter said.
Charlotte's event requires a $40 registration fee.
Despite both networking weeks occurring at the same time because of the rare event-free weekend on OU's campus, Walter does not see it as a competition.
“We have slightly different markets,” he said. “But with 4,000 graduating seniors, if each chapter gets 100 we would be satisfied,” he said.
Students can come for as many or few events as they want, Walter said, adding its all about finding a home away from home.
“One of the benefits is that we are not in Ohio. Alumni (in Ohio) can drive to Athens if they miss Good Fellas pizza,” he said. “We’re six hours away from home in D.C.”
A complete schedule of events for DC Networking Week can be found HERE
A complete schedule of events for Charlotte Networking Week can be found HERE
